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Muscle Strain

Definition

A muscle strain is an injury that damages the internal structure of the muscle. It may be small, or severe enough to cause internal bleeding and lengthening of muscle fibers. If the damaged parts of the muscle pull away from each other, it is called a muscle rupture.

Risk Factors

Athletic activities, especially those with running, lifting, and jumping

Tight muscles

Fatigue

Overexertion

Cold weather

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on how you strained the muscle.

Strain While Performing an Athletic or Physical Activity

You feel immediate soreness or pain in the affected muscle. If you try to use that muscle, it hurts even more. The area becomes tender and swollen. In the most severe cases, there may be a skin bruise because of bleeding underneath. Moving the nearby joints causes pain. Running and lifting are common activities that cause this type of muscle strain.

Strain from an Accumulation of Stress

When you do an activity that your body is not used to doing, the muscles are not in shape for that kind of activity. You may not feel pain during the activity, but the next day a muscle or set of muscles may be very sore. The muscle will be tender, and using it causes pain or discomfort.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms, your recent physical activity, and how the injury occurred. The injured area will be examined for:

Tenderness directly over the muscle

Pain when contracting the muscle, particularly against resistance

Pain when stretching the affected muscle

Images may be taken of structures inside your body. This can be done with:

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the strain and the muscle involved.

Acute Care

Rest

Your muscle will need time to heal. Avoid activities that place extra stress on the affected area. In general:

Do not do activities that cause pain.

If normal walking hurts, shorten your stride.

Do not play sports until your doctor has said it is safe to do so.

Cold

Apply an ice or a cold pack to the area for 15-20 minutes, four times a day, for several days after the injury. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel.

Pain Relief Medications

To manage pain, your doctor may recommend:

Over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen

Topical pain medication—creams or patches that are applied to the skin

Prescription pain relievers

Compression

Compression can help prevent more swelling. Your doctor may recommend an elastic compression bandage around the affected muscle. Be careful not to wrap the bandage too tight.

Elevation

Elevation can also help keep swelling down. If possible, keep the affected muscle higher than your heart as much as possible for the first 24 hours or so. A couple of days of elevation might be recommended for severe strains.

Recovery Steps

Rehabilitation with a physical therapist may be required.

Heat

Use heat only when you are returning to physical activity. Heat may be used before stretching or getting ready to play sports to help loosen the muscle.

Stretching

Begin stretching exercises for your muscles as recommended.

Prevention

To reduce your chance of straining a muscle:

Keep your muscles strong so they can absorb the energy of sudden stressful activities.

After a short warm-up period, stretch out tight muscles, especially previously injured ones.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.